Trial under way in Peoria infant's death

PEORIA – Prosecutors in central Illinois say a Peoria woman texted her boyfriend and played video games while her 2-month-old son starved to death in another room.

Assistant State's Attorney Nancy Mermelstein contends 20-year-old Astria Pollard was "completely indifferent" to the condition of her son, Javier. The premature infant died of dehydration and malnutrition in September 2010.

The (Peoria) Journal Star reported that Pollard's trial on first-degree murder and child endangerment charges got under way before a Peoria County judge Monday. She's waived her right to a jury trial.

Pollard has said she didn't intentionally cause the boy's death. Defense attorney Sean Donahue on Monday told the judge his client cared for the child and fed the baby the night before.